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The Belgian conductor, harpsichordist and organist, Bart Naessens, studied at the conservatory of Bruges with Chris Dubois; then graduated as Master in Music (organ) at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven with Luc Ponet. There he focused not only on performance practice, but on creating a wide-ranged spectrum and a fundamental respect for the substantial beauty and profound power of art. After that he specialised in Paris in French symphonic organ music (where he obtained a higher diploma - the so called Prix d’Excellence - in this field in 2005 with the highest distinction and congratulations from the jury), he simultaneously started harpsichord studies in the class of Kris Verhelst and orchestra conducting studies with Edmond Saveniers and obtained both Master degrees with high distinctions. On this moment, he is doing a doctoral study about ‘the claviorganum’ at the University of Leuven.
Bart Naessens is frequently seen in Belgium and abroad with the most divergent programs as both keyboard player and conductor, ranging from early polyphonic music to creations of newly composed pieces. Because of this, he has been engaged by numerous eminent musicians and renowned (international) ensembles and orchestras, such as Ensemble Explorations, Il Gardellino, Ensemble Philidor, B'Rock Orchestra, Les Muffatti, Zefiro Torna, De Nederlandse Bachvereniging, Collegium Vocale Gent, Cluj Symphony Orchestra, Currende (consort), Collegium Instrumentale Brugense, Koor en orkest van de Koninklijke Muntschouwburg, Vlaams Radio Koor en –orkest, de Filharmonie...,
Since 1999 Bart Naessens is Principal Organist at the Sint-Gillis Church in Bruges where he plays the world famous Bach organ. He teaches organ and harpsichord at the Lemmensinstituut Leuven (Highschool of Music) and the music academy in Blankenberge and Gent. Since 2012 he is also member of the pedagogical team at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels (French department).
Lately Bart Naessens has dedicated more time to conducting ensembles, choirs and orchestra. This has already resulted in remarkable performances as (guest conductor) and he is frequently asked as coach of various choirs and orchestras. Besides this, he is Artistic Director of the orchestra X-travaganza, Ensembler BachPlus and Capriola di Gioia.
Together with his wife Amaryllis Dieltiens, Bart Naessens founded the ensemble Capriola di Gioia. Together they focus on original and emotionally moving interpretations of (unknown) Baroque and classic repertoire. In 2010 he founded the Ensembler BachPlus (orchestra & choir) and X-travaganza to create a fresh approach of performing the cantata repertoire of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. With the ensemble X-travaganza, the main goal is to explore the classic and symphonic repertoire. |
